Local government

We have developed a strong reputation for delivering excellent results for local government.

Our highly experienced team places a strong focus on excellent service and value for money for city-based and regional councils alike.
We understand the unique challenges and opportunities that councils are presented with and recognise that, in order to balance the needs of residents and stakeholders with the priorities and legal requirements of local government, a high degree of expertise and engagement is required.

Expertise

Planning law

clients benefit from our team’s hands-on experience gained working both with and within local authorities. We act for local government, developers, institutions and others involved in the development, management and regulation of property, natural resources and infrastructure projects

in addition to providing advice on planning laws, we have a strong reputation in connection with transactional issues, advocacy and mediation.

Environmental law

our environmental specialists act for local government, developers, institutions and others involved in the development, management and regulation of property, natural resources and infrastructure projects. In addition to providing advice on environmental laws, we have a strong reputation in connection with transactional issues, advocacy and mediation.

Statutory interpretation of Acts, regulations, rules and legislative enactments which impact on council activities, powers and functions

through our work for government departments and statutory authorities, we have been involved in advising on matters relating to various Acts, regulations and rules, including how they should be interpreted and applied to local governments.

Administrative law advice

We offer the expertise of lawyers who have not only acted for government as legal advisors, but who have also worked within government in the following areas:

drafting of by-laws, local laws, delegations and other instruments

judicial review (Federal Court and Supreme Court)

prerogative relief in the High Court of Australia

merits review

statutory interpretation

Royal Commissions and other public inquiries.

Property law issues including conveyancing, leases, licences, Crown Land (Reserves) Act, road discontinuances, land tax and other property related matters

all aspects of property acquisition, disposals, leasing and licensing

all aspects of landlord and tenant issues

conveyancing

matters relating to Crown and reserve land management, leases and licences matters relating to acquisition of land, including compulsory acquisition.

Native title and cultural heritage issues

advice on land dealings and infrastructure projects that affect native title and Aboriginal cultural heritage

representing local governments as respondent parties in native title proceedings in the Federal Court

negotiating indigenous land use agreements and Aboriginal cultural heritage management plans and agreement.

Experience

Our team has extensive local government experience, having acted for a range of local councils across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

Former party president Gary Spence argues Queensland is not prone to corruption like New South Wales. Spence has taken a case to the high court arguing that the ban on Queensland state and local council politicians taking developer donations breaches the implied freedom of political communication.

In this special edition of our Queensland Government Bulletin publication, our team looks at the issues and reforms that emerged over 2018 in key areas affecting government - and also cast forward to examine the expected major trends and developments for 2019.

Ongoing under-investment in councils’ management of community assets is leading to increased risk and reduced safety, warns a major forthcoming report. While the Commonwealth and state governments have been focused on “nation building” infrastructure projects a new analysis shows that $30 billion of community assets is in poor condition and requires “significant renewal.”

An aging population brings with it increased responsibilities for local governments wanting to enhance the health and well-being of their community. To facilitate this, a new Australian web-based resource has been developed.

State-wide databases and better-funded programs are needed to help councils respond to changes in how Australians volunteer around disaster. A major issue highlighted by the local government professionals was the “inadequate financial assistance to support volunteer programs.